taxonID	type	description	language	source
03848797FF91FFFD9B8DE58CA9161383.taxon	description	Both specimens are morphologically similar to the recently described species Batillipes wyedeleinorum Bartels et al., 2024. However, we present our detailed description of an adult female since it adds important information to the original description of B. wyedeleinorum regarding character variation and ecological preferences (e. g. deep sea occurrence). Description of female Figs 4 – 5, Supplementary Table 1.1 Body. Small Batillipes with total body length (from cephalic rim to the tip of caudal appendage) of 147 µm, and maximum body width of 46 µm between leg III and leg IV (Figs 4, 5 A-C). Distinct trapezoid head, separated from the body by a distinct neck constriction and with conical lateral projections I of 7 µm length (Fig. 5 C, G). Lateral projections between leg I and leg II (2.5 µm) are blunt. Lateral projections between leg II and III (3 µm) are conical. The lateral projections between leg III and leg IV (4 µm) are elongated (up to 20 µm) and rather blunt (Fig. 5 C, G). Body cuticle punctuated with internal pillars (Fig. 5 G – J). Cephalic region. Cephalic cirri with cirrophores. Cephalic cirri tips have tufts with additional filaments (Fig. 5 G, H). Cirri A are 24 µm in length. Unpaired median cirrus is 16 µm long. Internal cirri are 14 µm long and attached dorsally. External cirri are 11 µm long and situated close to the primary clavae. Primary clavae of 9.0 µm length are tube-shaped. (Fig. 5 A). Primary clavae, cirrus A and external cirri all originate from a common lateral bulge of the head (Fig. 4). Secondary clavae are indistinct. Eyes not visible. Mouth cone is clearly visible (Fig. 5 G, H). Ovoid pharyngeal bulb (15 × 10 µm) connected with the buccal tube with three placoids. Legs. Sensory organs present on all telescopic legs (Fig. 5 B). Sensory organs of legs I and II are about 7 µm long, of legs III to 10 µm. Sensory organs of legs IV with a cirrophore are 18 µm long and have frayed tips (Figs 5 D, D 2). Bases of legs I and legs II have a small (1.5 – 2.0 µm) dome-shaped projection. On legs I, digits 2 (4.0 µm) and 4 (5.5 µm) are the shortest (considering digit 1 the most cephalically), digits 3 (10.5 µm) and 5 (11.0 µm) are the longest and digits 1 (6.0 µm) and 6 (7.0 µm) are medium sized. The same pattern of digits on legs II and III (Fig. 5 A). On legs IV, digits 3 (6.0 µm) and 4 (8.0 µm) are the shortest, and digits 1 (11.0 µm), 2 (14.5 µm), 5 (14.0 µm), 6 (11.0 µm) are the longest (Fig. 5 D). Digits have disc-shaped suction discs (Figs 4, 5 A, D, J). The specimen has some folded discs on legs II – IV (Fig. 4, 5 I, J). Caudal region. The caudal appendage is 8.5 µm long and looks like a single spine attached directly on the body. Rosette-shaped, six-lobed female gonopore and anus present (Fig. 5 E, J). Putative smooth area between gonopore and anus is visible on light microscopy figures (Fig. 5 E) but hidden by leg IV on SEM figures (Fig. 5 J).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF91FFFD9B8DE58CA9161383.taxon	discussion	Remarks There are only a few and slight morphological differences between B. wyedeleinorum and our specimen. We did not see the same medial groove in a smooth area between gonopore and anus. In addition, we were not able to observe the papillae on legs because of legs positioning after preparation for SEM (see Additional remarks in Bartels et al. 2024). A possible ecological difference is evidenced by our new geographic and bathymetric record of this species.	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF91FFFD9B8DE58CA9161383.taxon	description	Short description of juvenile Fig. 5 F; Supplementary Table 1.1 Four-toed juvenile 123.5 µm long with punctuated cuticle. Cephalic cirri with lance-shaped tips. Each leg with a sensory organ. Lateral projections on the neck region, between leg II and leg III are conical; projections between leg I and leg II, as well as between leg III and leg IV are blunt. On each leg digit 2 is shorter than the other. Short single conical caudal appendage presented.	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF91FFFD9B8DE58CA9161383.taxon	discussion	Remarks We identified this specimen as Batillipes wyedeleinorum because of overall morphological similarity. This individual has comparably shorter cirri E, a sensory organ on the leg IV and more elongated suction disks on digits. This kind of minor dissimilarities between mature and juvenile stages are known for other species of Batillipes (Kristensen & Mackness 2000). Furthermore, both specimens occur in a similar habitat, the Antarctic deep sea bottom, which is a rather unusual and unique habitat for species of the genus Batillipes (but see discussion).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF95FFFA9B8DE256ADB21728.taxon	description	N = 1 specimen: female occurrence: ANDEEP-SYSTCO; 2,981 m bsl. Fig. 6; Supplementary Table 1.2 Short description Large female (273 µm, n = 1) with claw heteromorphy (Fig. 6 A). On the dorsal side a median cirrus is placed close between the posterior edges of the secondary clavae (Fig. 6 B). Edges of secondary clavae are also clearly visible on the ventral side (Fig. 6 C, C 2). Both external and internal claws are with accessory spines on each leg (Fig. 6 B, D). The presence of gonopore and seminal receptacles allows us to be secure with sex determination.	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF95FFFA9B8DE256ADB21728.taxon	discussion	Remarks C. dissimilis is recognisable by the secondary clavae shape and median cirrus placed on the posterior end of secondary clavae. This representative exhibits claw heteromorphy and accessory spines as in the original description of Gomes-Júnior et al. (2020).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF95FFFA9B8DE0DEAFEC1190.taxon	description	N = 3 specimens: 1 female, 1 male, 1 juvenile occurrence: ANDEEP-SYSTCO; 2,891 m bsl. Fig. 6; Supplementary Table 1.3 Short description Large tardigrades (205 – 294 µm, n = 2) of elongated body, with coelomocytes and other spherical cells. Secondary clavae have clearly visible ventral side shape as in original description (Fig. 6 G, G 2). On the dorsal side the median cirrus is placed between the secondary clavae (Fig. 6 F). Claws without heteromorphy. Accessory spines only on the internal claws of leg IV (Fig. 6 H). Juvenile (205 µm) with internal claws and sometimes with external claws developing inside the femur (Fig. 6 I). The female has a gonopore and seminal receptacles.	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF95FFFA9B8DE0DEAFEC1190.taxon	discussion	Remarks C. tenellus is recognisable by the secondary clavae shape and median cirrus position. All representatives have accessory spines on each leg IV internal claw (Renaud-Mornant, 1974).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF95FFFA9B8DE546AE941304.taxon	description	N = 7 specimens occurrence: ANDEEP-SYSTCO; 2,891 m bsl.	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF95FFFA9B8DE546AE941304.taxon	discussion	Remarks We are convinced that most of these seven specimens belong to the species Coronarctus tenellus Renaud-Mornant, 1974. However, since they are in a rather poor condition compared to the three specimens above, we decided to report them as Coronarctus cf. tenellus.	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF88FFE79B8DE6F2AF0C13A8.taxon	description	N = 238 specimens occurrence: ANDEEP I, II, III, ANDEEP-SYSTCO; 1,088 – 5,213 m bsl. Fig. 8 A – D; Supplementary Table 1.5 Short description Angursa with slender body (120 – 180 µm long, 20 – 35 µm width, n = 5) and primary clavae longer than cirri A. Secondary and tertiary clavae are usually clearly visible (Fig. 8 A, B, B 2). Distance between both secondary clavae on the dorsal side of the head is 1.5 – 4.0 μm (Fig. 8 B, B 2). Cirrus E short (8.0 – 12.0 µm, n = 5) (Fig. D). The hemispherical sensory organ with a small apical spine on leg IV is sometimes a bit elongated (as in Angursa capsula) (Fig. 8 C).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF88FFE79B8DE6F2AF0C13A8.taxon	discussion	Remarks The two species A. abyssalis and A. capsula are quite similar in the shape of the sensory organ of leg IV (Hansen and Fujimoto 2019). However, the main identifying trait for this species is the short (less than 4 µm) distance between the secondary clavae and the shorter cirri E (Fig. 8 D).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF88FFE79B8DE782AD2C1120.taxon	description	N = 1,172 specimens	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF88FFE79B8DE21EAF84102C.taxon	description	N = 4 specimens: 2 females, 2 with undetermined sex occurrence: ANDEEP 1, ANDEEP-SYSTCO; 3,551 – 3,650 m bsl. Fig. 7; Supplementary Table 1.4 Short description Large and robust tardigrade 148 – 283 µm long and 52.3 – 99.7 µm width (n = 2). Buccal apparatus with stylets (Fig. 7 B). Cephalic cirri with annulated base, smooth portion of the scapus and short flagellum (Fig. 7 E, F). Each leg with a sensory organ (Fig. 7 E). Internal and external digits are of the same size and wrinkled (Fig. 7 C, G). Caudal region is covered with a thick cuticular layer shown as a bulge (Fig. 7 A, E). All the females have a patched seminal receptacle opening (Fig. 7 D, H).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF88FFE79B8DE21EAF84102C.taxon	discussion	Remarks The identification of this species is certain because of the morphology of cephalic cirri (annulated base, smooth scapus and short flagellum). The internal and external digits of all limbs are the same size that distinguishes this species from M. okhotensis (Bai et al. 2020, Saulenko et al. 2022). This species was previously reported from Pacific deep-sea plains with a high abundance of manganese or polymetallic nodules (Bai et al. 2020). At least the sampling stations of expedition ANDEEP 1 that contained M. clarionclippertonensis (Shackleton Fracture Zone, 59 ° 52.30 ′ S, 59 ° 57.63 ′ W) at the deep sea bottom of the Drake Passage are also close to areas with polymetallic sulfide deposits and hydrothermal vent activity (see discussion for details).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8AFFE59B8DE081AE2E1186.taxon	description	N = 62 specimens occurrence: ANDEEP I; 2,893 m bsl. Fig. 9 A – B; Supplementary Table 1.7 Short description Small Angursa with slender body (106 – 150 µm long, 19 – 22 µm width, n = 5) and primary clavae shorter than cirri A. Individuals with long cephalic cirri and cirri E. Secondary clavae are present (Fig. 9 A, A 2). Short hemispherical sensory organs on legs IV present (Fig. 9 A). Males have gonopore as in the original description (Fig. 9 B).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8AFFE59B8DE081AE2E1186.taxon	discussion	Remarks A. antarctica belongs to the A. lanceolata group with primary clavae shorter than cirri A (Fujimoto & Hansen 2019). This species is recognisable by hemispherical leg IV sensory organs. Annulated scapi of cirri E sometimes not clearly visible (Víllora-Moreno, 1998).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8AFFE59B8DE3E6ADA616EC.taxon	description	N = 680 specimens occurrence: ANDEEP I, II, III, ANDEEP-SYSTCO; 1,088 – 5,213 m bsl. Fig. 8 E – F; Supplementary Table 1.6 Short description Angursa with a slender body (120 – 176 µm long, 20 – 30 µm width, n = 5) and primary clavae longer than cirri A. Distance between both secondary clavae on the dorsal side of the head is 6.3 – 11.0 μm (Fig. 8 E, E 2). Capsules-like sensory organs on legs IV (Fig. 8 F). Cirri E long (13.0 – 19.0 µm, n = 5) (Fig. 8 E).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8AFFE59B8DE3E6ADA616EC.taxon	discussion	Remarks One of the most difficult species to identify because of unclear borders of the secondary clavae. On the sagittal position of the specimen we mostly used the length of cirri E as a species-specific trait, which are longer than 11 µm (Hansen & Fujimoto 2019).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8AFFE59B8DE54BA805138C.taxon	description	N = 36 specimens occurrence: ANDEEP I, III, ANDEEP-SYSTCO; 1,927 – 5,213 m bsl. Fig. 9 C; Supplementary Table 1.8 Short description Angursa with slender body (101 – 150 µm long, 15.7 – 24.0 µm width, n = 4) and primary clavae shorter than cirri A. Secondary and tertiary clavae present. Elongated leg IV sensory organs. Cirri E with lance-shaped ending.	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8AFFE59B8DE54BA805138C.taxon	discussion	Remarks A. lanceolata belongs to the A. lanceolata group with primary clavae shorter than cirri A (Fujimoto & Hansen 2019). Species with easily recognisable lance-shaped cirri E (Renaud-Mornant, 1981).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8AFFE59B8DE191A87817DF.taxon	discussion	Remarks In total 91 individuals are damaged and do not show characters that allow their identification further than to the genus level. However, all of them belong to the Angura bicuspis complex with cirrus A shorter than primary clava (Fujimoto & Hansen 2019) and could either belong to A. abyssalis or A. capsula.	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8CFFE39B8DE3E6AD2216F0.taxon	description	N = 65 specimens occurrence: ANDEEP I, II, ANDEEP-SYSTCO; 1,088 – 3,555 m bsl. Figs 9 D, E; Supplementary Table 1.9 Short description Angursa with slender body (137 – 172 µm long, n = 5) and primary clavae shorter than cirri A (Fig. 9 D). Secondary and tertiary clavae present. Elongated leg IV sensory organs. Cirri E with tongue-shaped ending (Fig. 9 E).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8CFFE39B8DE3E6AD2216F0.taxon	discussion	Remarks A. lingua belongs to the A. lanceolata group with primary clavae shorter than cirri A (Fujimoto & Hansen 2019). Species with easily recognisable traits, such as tongue-shaped cirri E and elongated sensory organs on legs IV (Fig. 9 E) (Bussau, 1992).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8CFFE39B8DE06EAECD1144.taxon	description	N = 13 specimens: 13 males occurrence: ANDEEP-SYSTCO; 1,927 – 1,960 m bsl. Figs 10 A – E; Supplementary Table 1.10 Short description We observed only dwarf males (72 – 108 µm long) unique for this species. Ovoid primary clavae and long cephalic cirri present (Fig. 10 A). Secondary clavae are present (Fig. 10 B). Neck region with folded cuticle (Fig. 10 C). All digits are covered with a cuticular hood. Peduncles are large (Fig. 10 D). Inconspicuous tubular-shape male gonopore is present (Fig. 10 E).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8CFFE39B8DE06EAECD1144.taxon	discussion	Remarks All the described characters are species-specific and correspond well to the original description (Kristensen & Higgins, 1984), so the identification is sound.	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8CFFE39B8DE6F2A88213CC.taxon	description	N = 1 specimen: female occurrence: ANDEEP II; 1,109 m bsl. Figs 10 F – I; Supplementary Table 1.11 Short description Adult female (145 µm long, n = 1) with the typical character combination of this species. Dorsal cuticle undulated (Fig. 10 F). Primary clavae elongated (Fig. 10 F). Large secondary clavae are present (Fig. 10 G). Head cirri are divided into three regions (Fig. 10 G). Thick seminal receptacle duct openings with no terminal swelling as lateral projections (Fig. 10 H). Digits with proximal pads and small peduncles (Fig. 10 I). Leg IV sensory organs as elongated papillae (Fig. 10 H).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8CFFE39B8DE6F2A88213CC.taxon	discussion	Remarks Styraconyx takeshii is well recognisable by the shape of dorsal cuticle with transversal ridges, elongated form of primary clavae, small peduncles and robust seminal receptacle opening (Fujimoto et al. 2020).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8EFFE19B8DE3AEACB3174C.taxon	description	N = 8 specimens: 1 female, 4 males, 3 with undetermined sex occurrence: ANDEEP I, ANDEEP-SYSTCO; 1,927 – 2,997 m bsl. Fig. 11; Supplementary Table 1.12 Short description Tardigrades with slender body and bell-shaped outer epicuticle (Fig. 11 A, C). Short primary clavae and large secondary clavae present (Fig. 11 A). Sexual dimorphism concerning body size (female is 336 µm long and 79 µm wide, n = 1; males are 165 – 173 µm long and 40 µm wide, n = 3) (Fig. 11 A compared with Fig. 11 C). Sensory organs on each leg present (Fig. 11 B, D).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8EFFE19B8DE3AEACB3174C.taxon	discussion	Remarks Tardigrades with clear sexual dimorphism in size (mature females are twice as big as males). Short spine-like sensory organ present also on the legs II and III. Outer epicuticle with various levels of inflation so we measured length and width by inner cuticle borders, which corresponded to the original description by Jørgensen et al. (2014).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8EFFEE9B8DE712AE2A15FC.taxon	description	N = 1 specimen: female occurrence: ANDEEP I; 60 ° 27.05 ′ S, 56 ° 04.77 ′ W; 3,958 m bsl. Figs 12 – 14; Supplementary Table 1.13 Description Body. Small Isoechiniscoides of 113 µm body length and 46 µm width. Dorsal cuticle has warts arranged in transverse rows. They are penetrated by epicuticular pillars (Fig. 14 F). A pair of mid-dorsal, kidney-shaped cuticular sculptures of 5 × 3 µm and without warts is present on the posterior region (Fig. 14 I). Cephalic region. Two mouth plates form the mouth opening region (Figs 12 B, 13 D, E). Pharyngeal bulb inconspicuous and pharyngeal apparatus not visible. Eyes are absent. Primary clavae ovoid (3.5 µm long) with a small pore on the anterior end. The base of the primary clava has an elongated plate (4.5 µm) that lacks warts and pillars (Fig. 13 B, C, 14 E, F); the elongated plate of the right primary clava is either hidden on the SEM images due to a backward folding of cirrus A, or it could be completely blown-up due to a preparation artefact (Fig. 14 G). However, its contours are visible on the light microscope image (Fig. 13 B, C). Secondary clavae (7.5 × 8 µm) dome-shaped (Figs 13 D, E, E 2, 14 G). External (2.5 µm) and internal cirri (3.5 µm) have a small ring-shaped base (Fig. 13 D, 14 G). Cirri A are 10.5 µm long and have a thicker and folded cirrophore (Fig. 14 F, G). Legs. Leg I sensory organ is an elongated papilla (2.5 µm) with short spiny tip (Fig. 14 A). Leg II sensory organ is a 3.3 µm long spine (Fig. 14 B). Leg III sensory organ is a spine (5.5 µm) with annulated base (Fig. 14 C). Leg IV sensory organ is a spherical papilla (4.0 µm) with a short spiny tip (Fig. 14 I). Each leg has six sickle-shaped claws with cuticular folds (Fig. 14 H). Caudal region. Cirri E are 14.5 µm long and have a thicker annulated cirrophore (Fig. 14 E, I). Rosette-shaped, six-lobed female gonopore is present on the ventral side between legs III and IV (Figs 13 F, 14 D). The anus is located in the terminal body end and present as an inconspicuous three-lobed unit (Figs 12 B, 13 F).	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
03848797FF8EFFEE9B8DE712AE2A15FC.taxon	diagnosis	Differential diagnosis With its body length of 113 µm, Isoechiniscoides aff. sifae sp. can. is a rather tiny deep-sea representative compared to the already described I. higginsi and I. sifae, which measure up to 329 and 188 µm, respectively (Hallas & Kristensen 1982, Møbjerg et al. 2016). In order to exclude the possibility of a shrinkage that might have occurred during desiccation by CPD, we have also measured the specimen when still mounted on a glycerol-mounted slide and there was no shrinkage observable. Therefore, this species can be well separated from I. higginsi by the smaller size, but additionally by the length of the sensory organs of leg I, II, III and IV (4.0, 12.0, 14.0 and 6.5 µm in I. higginsi holotype female to 2.5, 3.3, 5.5 and 4.0 µm in I. aff. sifae sp. can. female), mid-dorsal plates without warts and the unique elongate primary clavae plate. Morphologically, Isoechiniscoides aff. sifae sp. can. is very similar to I. sifae, however, the body size, length of leg sensory organs (3.5, 8.0, 11.6 and 4.9 µm in I. sifae holotype female to 2.5, 3.3, 5.5 and 4.0 µm in I. aff. sifae sp. can. female) and the presence of primary clavae plates are significant differences between both species, which could represent a pair of sister species. We refrain from erecting the new species of Isoechiniscoides due to the rather poor condition of the specimen and the lack of supporting molecular data.	en	Trokhymchuk, Roman, Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas, Utevsky, Serge, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg, Kieneke, Alexander (2024): Towards a better understanding of deep-sea tardigrade biogeography: numerous new records from the Southern Ocean. Zootaxa 5543 (1): 1-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.1.1
